Riding on the Bukit Bali

Late in the afternoon I wanted to get out of the Seminyak scene and went for a ride out to Nusa Dua. Hooking a right before the Nusa Dua main gate I rode up the hill and across the Bukit towards Uluwatu. This is one of the most unpopulated parts of Bali and I passed a group of cyclists who were on a leisurely training ride. Must be hell being an Indonesian cyclist with all the traffic. Part of the way across the Bukit I stopped at a drink shop and bought a Pocari Sweat for 4,000rp. The 2 ladies at the shop were mother and daughter. They live a simple life of manning the roadside place and serving locals. We chatted in Bahasa Indonesia, even though my Bahasa is poor, I know the drill…where am I from, am I married, how many kids?

I took their photo which made them laugh and they commented they looked fat, a result they said of working at a warung where food is always available. I have to say that I have seen a pattern here in Bali. I’ll notice a cute young girl working in a shop or restaurant and 2-3 years later she has put on 20lbs, now looking bored senseless and tired. Happens all over and one can draw a picture of a city based Balinese person maturing. Some of the sparkle is worn away, not entirely, but the energy of youth seems to give way to a realization that this is going to be a long hard slog. I’d like to tell them that a little exercise and weight control could help them along the way, but who am I? Just another bule who thinks he knows it all.

The ladies told me to come back next time I’m on the Bukit. Maybe I will remember.